BANGUED,
Abra – Cause oriented groups here denied
and condemned black propaganda allegedly by State agents they are New People’s
Army rebels pretending to be development workers.
Kakailian SalaknibanTay Amin a Nagtaudan
(KASTAN CPA-Abra), TulongKatribu and Cordillera Disaster Response and
Development Services (CordDS), in a
press statement, said they learned of
red tagging being spread against them after Ariel Solomon Martes,
Alliance of Concerned Teachers provincial coordinator for Abra was notified by
a friend to be careful of his acquaintances because he was told they were NPA
rebels.
His source however declined to identify the
source for his own security.
“We condemn this malicious statement made
against us. We are development workers aiming to help the evacuees. We declare
categorically that we are not NPA rebels. This kind of statements are
dangerous, as there is a trend that those who are vilified are being harassed,
illegally arrested or worse, even killed. This incident is reminiscent of the
Martial law days, where everyone who desires to serve the people is being
demonized by the state.”
The incident happened after KASTAN,
Tulong Katribu and CorRDS went to Barangay Tamac in Villaviciosa, Abra to
provide relief goods for residents who evacuated because of an impending
landslide.
A landslide occurred during the height of
typhoon Ineng, which destroyed several parts of the rice fields, prompting the
residents to evacuate.
The relief operation was requested by the
community through Alliance of Concerned Teachers provincial coordinator Ariel
Solomon Martes.
Despite the incident, the groups vowed that
they will continue to provide aid for those in need, saying that it is their
sacred duty to serve the people.
“No threats can stop us from doing what we
are supposed to do. These people need help, and no matter what, we will not
leave them behind. Those spreading these malicious statements must desist from
doing so and instead do their part in helping the evacuees.”
The press statement named Haide Patricio Iday
as TulongKatribu coordinator,
Ronald Gustilo as public information officer
of Kakailian Salakniban Tay Amin a Nagtaudan and Ariel Solomon Martes as
provincial coordinators of ACT.
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